Preceded by a guide, they had taken the rough mountain road, leading
from the abbey into the forest of Pendle, the stranger and his servant
still walking, or rather climbing, for their journey could only be
accomplished on foot. Having proceeded about two miles on this rugged
path, they diverged to the left, where the only indication to assist
their guide was the turf-cutters' track and a few heaps of stones,
scarcely distinguishable from the common mass, but by an eye accustomed
to these land-marks. Carefully were they sought for at times, the
blazing torch carried by their leader being often requisite for the
search.
They now descended by a narrow and steep ravine, the termination of
which brought them to a small brook. This they crossed, and again
commenced a sharp and troublesome ascent. The mighty Pendle rose up
before them, huge and dark, engrossing half the hemisphere. To this
point, it seemed, their path was directed. The guide now trimmed his
torch, the smoke from which had for some time been rather an
accompaniment than an assistance to their toil, as it caused them to
loiter at an inconvenient distance, thereby enhancing the difficulties
they had to encounter.
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